Pali Notches to Awaawaloa (Olympus) to Kolowalu Trail

by kenji SAITO on January 16, 2017

Met up with Chris, Derek, Ethan, Khym and Krissy to finish Chris’s last segment hike of the Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST).

Pali Lookout

Pali Lookout

Some of us caught the breezy, breaking sun over the Pali. Others waited in the valley. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas

Trailhead

Trailhead

Going up the surprisingly dry pock marked trail.

Pali Notches Trail

Pali Notches Trail

Just a couple minutes later, we were treated to outstanding Windward views. The winds were surprisingly light.

Pali Notches Trail

Pali Notches Trail

Chris and Khym climbing down the first notch.

Pali Notches Trail

Pali Notches Trail

Making our way up the mountain. Photo by Chris B.

Pali Notches Trail

Pali Notches Trail

Khym making his way down the second notch. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Pali Notches Trail

Pali Notches Trail

Dropping down from the nipple. Photo by Derek Potter.

Chimney

Chimney

Climbing up the chimney. Photo by Derek Potter.

Chimney

Chimney

The many happy faces of the chimney.

Chimney

Chimney

Group photo by Khym Ansagay.

Chimney

Chimney

I think my pants have seen better days.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Time to resume our climbing.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Krissy making her way around the contour. Photo by Derek Potter.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Khym creeping up the contour.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Continuing our climb up the rocky ridge.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

More Windward views. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

We spotted a hovering helicopter dropping off supplies down by the golf course. Photo by Chris B.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Popping up over the ridge. Photo by Derek Potter.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Pulling ourselves up with uki grass. A hiker’s best friend on the mountains.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris peering down the mud wall.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

The muddy Piliwale junction. Almost there.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris making his way to the summit.

Konahuanui

Konahuanui

Group photo at the highest spot, 3,150′, on the Ko’olau Mountains, left to right: Chris, Derek, myself, Khym, Ethan and Krissy. The usually persistent cloud cover was surprisingly light and scattered today.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking down the Southern spine of the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Chris B.

KSRT

KSRT

Making our way down to K2.

K2

K2

The views kept on improving. Life was good. Group photo by Chris B.

KSRT

KSRT

Leaving the twin testicles behind us. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

KSRT

KSRT

Dropping down onto the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

KSRT

KSRT

Hiking on the edge. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

KSRT

KSRT

Coming and going. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

KSRT

KSRT

Sitting down and soaking in the views.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking out towards Manoa Valley.

Manoa Middle

Manoa Middle

Failed group photo at the 2,320′ summit. All talk, no photos. Photo by Chris B.

KSRT

KSRT

The fence is coming. The fence is coming.

KSRT

KSRT

Khym and Krissy coming around the stand of ironwood trees. Photo by Chris B.

KSRT

KSRT

Continuing our hike as the ridge pitched up and down on our way to Olympus.

KSRT

KSRT

The group scrambling over sedan rock. Can I get that in another color besides gray? Photo by Chris B.

KSRT

KSRT

We took the trail less cleared up to the summit.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking back. Photo by Chris B.

KSRT

KSRT

On the way to Awaawaloa (Olympus). Foot traffic ticked up as the KSRT soon intersected with the Waahila Trail.

Awaawaloa

Awaawaloa

Close your eyes. No pop. Just twist. Not chilled. Room temperature. Less bubbly. Just pour. Surprise!

Awaawaloa

Awaawaloa

Congratulations to Chris for completing the Ko’olau Mountain Range. Next stop. The Waianae Mountain Range.

Awaawaloa

Awaawaloa

Summit life at 2,486′. Napping. Eating. Outpatient surgery. Thank you Nurse Eizenhoefer. Two gulps. Where is the summit?

Waahila Trail

Waahila Trail

Hikers making way for the newly crowned King of the KST.

Junction

Junction

Taking the junction trail at 1,640′, down to Manoa.

Kolowalu Trail

Kolowalu Trail

One of many fallen trees on the trail. Yes, a loud crashing sound was made.

All pau

All pau

Coming off the ridge and down onto the valley floor, which lead us back to our parked cars.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our hike covered 7.43 miles as the GPS flies. Congratulations again to Chris for completing the KST. Awesome accomplishment.

Post hike meal

Post hike meal

Post hike meal at Haleiwa Joe’s, because somebody wanted prime rib. Somebody got the chicken instead. I got the honking slab of cow that was just missing the horns and tail.

Note: I have been made aware the some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

Leave a Comment

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Khym February 4, 2017 at 11:55 am

So that is what you call a nipple …. crap i heard that term somewhere in the kalihi saddle

Reply

kenji SAITO February 4, 2017 at 8:44 pm

Aloha Khym,
Yup, I could be wrong. But maybe you are referring to the “pimple” on the Kalihi Saddle (Lanihuli side)? Well, you can see it firsthand for yourself next week. LOL.
Mahalo

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